Michael Brown’s killing was not an isolated incident. The FBI reports that a white police officer kills a black person almost twice a week. A new poll shows both blacks and whites believe cops are not held accountable for excessive force or for racial discrimination. We’ll hear calls for police reform, and a new kind of federal assistance.

FROM THIS EPISODE

Michael Brown’s killing was not an isolated incident. The FBI reports that a white police officer kills a black person almost twice a week. A new poll shows both blacks and whites believe cops are not held accountable for excessive force or for racial discrimination. Other research shows an unconscious bias toward young, black males among all segments of the population—but it can be modified by training. We’ll hear calls for police reform, and a new kind of federal assistance.

Also, Russia continues its "stealth invasion" of eastern Ukraine, and the Islamic State is demanding release of a prisoner in Texas.

Banner Image: Times Square, New York protest in the wake of the shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO; Credit: Jason Allen

Russia is continuing what the US calls a “stealth invasion” of eastern Ukraine. Five armored personnel carriers crossed the border yesterday. Today, NATO released photographs showing 1000 Russian soldiers. Ukrainian forces had appeared to be gaining the upper hand, but some reports indicate that they are retreating. Simon Ostrovsky reports for Vice News, he joins us from Eastern Ukraine.

Last Friday in Beverly Hills, California, TV producer Charles Belk—a 51-year old black man—was on his way to a pre-Emmy awards party. When he left a restaurant, he was stopped by police, handcuffed and taken to jail with bail sent at $100,000. After 6 hours, police reviewed videotape that proved Belk had not robbed a bank and released him 10 minutes later. Belk says it was all because he was “tall, bald, male and black.” Will policing ever be colorblind?

A Pakistani woman known as “Lady al-Qaeda” was one of the Bush Administration’s “most wanted” people. She was convicted of attempted murder, and she’s being held in a Texas prison. In Pakistan she’s considered a martyr, and now the extremist Islamic State is demanding her release. Should she be exchanged for American hostages?

“Lady al-Qaeda”—a nickname provided by intelligence agents—has never been considered for a prisoner swap, according to the Obama White House. But some Pentagon officials, and at least one Republican, have other ideas. Shane Harris is senior staff writer at Foreign Policy magazine and author of an article titled, “Lady al-Qaeda: The World’s Most Wanted Woman.”